What is the Best Birth Control?

One of the most significant ways to manage your health is to have control over your reproductive future. Birth control can be a powerful way to assist in family planning, as well as help control symptoms related to hormonal fluctuations, like acne and mood swings. What is the best birth control? Read on to learn more.

Different birth control methods

When considering the best type of birth control, several methods are available. Often, the best forms of birth control combine high effectiveness and high tolerability.

Method 1: Barrier methods

A barrier method helps prevent conception by prohibiting contact between the sperm and the egg via a physical barrier. Examples include male condoms, female condoms, and cervical caps. While these do help with preventing pregnancy when used as indicated, they are not the most effective form. Male condoms do, however, help prevent STIs.

Method 2: Short-acting hormonal methods

When considering the best contraceptive methods, short-acting hormonal methods are commonly prescribed. Examples of this method include:

• A daily contraceptive pill: An oral contraceptive pill must be taken at the same time every day to be effective at preventing pregnancy.
• A weekly patch: This short-acting hormonal method is reapplied weekly.
• A monthly ring: This short-acting hormonal ring is inserted into the vagina and replaced each month.
• A quarterly injection: This hormonal shot is administered every 3 months to prevent pregnancy.

Method 3: Long-acting hormonal methods

Long-acting hormonal methods are often what is the best form of birth control and what's the most effective birth control. These include IUDs and implants. With proper placement, these methods provide continuous pregnancy prevention for several years. A non-hormonal long-acting copper IUD is also available.

Method 4: Sterilization

Sterilization is one of the safest birth control methods and the most effective form of birth control. A male partner can become sterilized via a vasectomy, and a female partner can become sterilized via a tubal ligation or tubal removal. After these surgical procedures, it is difficult to conceive because the pathway to conception is permanently disrupted.

Types of hormonal birth control

So, what is the best birth control method ? The answer depends on your personal preferences and medical history. However, for many women, the safest form of birth control provides protection from conception as well as favorable side effects. These include predictability with menstrual periods, decreased cramping, decreased menstrual bleeding, improved skin quality, and improved mood. Here are a few of the most common types of hormonal birth control types.

Type 1: Combination birth control pills

This birth control pill uses a combination of the hormones estrogen and progesterone to prevent pregnancy. It works by preventing ovulation and making the uterus lining inhospitable to a potentially fertilized egg. Some women are susceptible to the effects of estrogen hormone. This hormone also carries a higher risk of developing blood clots, and it should not be used in people who smoke, those who have a history of migraine with aura, or those with certain heart conditions. Examples of combination birth control pills include:

• Yaz (drospirenone/ ethinyl estradiol)
• Amethyst (levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol)
• Aurovela 24 FE (norethindrone acetate/ ethinyl estradiol)
• Apri (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol)

Type 2: The minipill

The minipill is a progestin-only pill. This means it is less likely to cause side effects experienced by women who are sensitive to the effects of estrogen. It is also safe to take while breastfeeding. A progestin-only birth control option prevents pregnancy by thickening cervical mucus, making it difficult for a pregnancy to occur. Examples of progestin-only pills include:

• Lyza (norethindrone)
• Slynd (Drospirenone)
• Opill (Norgestrel)
• Hana (Desogestrel)

Type 3: Birth control patches

A birth control patch is another option for birth control. It is a combination of progestin and estrogen hormones, and it helps prevent ovulation. A patch is applied for one week at a time, for three weeks in a row, followed by a patch-free week. It's important to know that the effectiveness of a patch goes down in women who have an increased body mass index (BMI). Examples of birth control patches include:

• Xulane (Norelgestromin/ ethinyl estradiol)
• Twirla (Levonorgestrel/ ethinyl estradiol)

Type 4: Birth control rings

Another option for short-term birth control is a vaginal ring. This ring is inserted into the vagina and left in place for three weeks, followed by a ring-free week. The hormones that help prevent pregnancy are progesterone and estrogen, which prevent ovulation. Examples of birth control patches include:

• Annovera (Segesterone/ ethinyl estradiol)
• NuvaRing (Etonogestrel/ ethinyl estradiol)

Type 5: Birth control implants

A birth control implant is a small cylinder, about the size of a Q-tip, that is inserted just beneath the surface of the skin. The hormone used in this type of birth control is progestin. It helps prevent pregnancy for up to three years by thickening cervical mucus and thinning the lining of the uterus to prevent ovulation. Brands of implants include Nexplanon (etonogestrel) and Implanon (etonogestrel).

What is the best birth control out there? Best birth control options in 2024

What's the best birth control? To determine what is the safest birth control and what is the most effective contraceptive, make sure to check in with your healthcare provider. The drugs below are commonly prescribed.

What is the most effective birth control?

The most effective birth control is one with the lowest failure rate. Abstinence and sterilization, when used effectively, have a 100% success rate. An IUD and hormonal implant have a 99% success rate. Short-term hormonal contraceptives such as the pill, patch, and vaginal ring also have very high success rates.

What is the best birth control with the least side effects?

What birth control has the least side effects? The best birth control with least side effects will depend on your personal preferences and lifestyle. Some people may prefer a daily pill because it is highly reversible (you can stop taking it by simply stopping the pills), versus an implant or IUD which must be removed by a healthcare professional. Some side effects, such as reduced acne, may be desired, while others, such as weight gain, are less desired.

5 factors to consider when choosing your best form of birth control

What birth control is best for me? Many factors contribute to what birth control is best. To start, you may want to consider the following five factors:

• Factor 1: Your medical history. If you have a history of blood clots or certain heart conditions, you should avoid birth controls that incorporate the hormone estrogen.
• Factor 2: Your lifestyle. If you want birth control that you never have to think about, you may prefer a long-acting method such as an IUD.
• Factor 3: Cost. Your preference for birth control may depend on cost. You may prefer a pill that you can get for free, versus other methods that may be out-of-pocket.
• Factor 4: Your family planning desires. If you'd like to get pregnant in the future, then being fertile is important. You will want a reversible method.
• Factor 5: Effectiveness. If your highest priority is effectiveness, you may consider sterilization, or a long-acting implant or IUD.

*DISCOUNT ONLY – NOT INSURANCE. The program is administered by Medical Security Card Company, LLC.

FAQs related to the best birth control methods

Do I need to see a doctor to get birth control?

For most forms of birth control, such as an IUD, patch, shot, intradermal implant, vaginal ring, and many contraceptive pills, a prescription is necessary. However, the FDA has recently approved the first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive pill, known as Opill. You do not have to see a doctor to get this pill—and it's available at most major retail pharmacies and on its website.

What is the best birth control pill?

The answer to the question of "what is the best birth control pill" is highly individualized. The best birth control pill for you is one that you can remember to take regularly, and that has acceptable and tolerable side effects. For example, low hormone pills may cause less weight gain, but more breakthrough bleeding.

What are the best low-hormone birth control pills?

There are several low-hormone birth control pills available. The best low-hormone pill is one that you can tolerate and remember to take reliably. This may be a pill that has a low amount of estrogen (less than 35 micrograms), or no estrogen at all. A non-estrogen pill is sometimes called a "minipill" and contains only progesterone.

What is the best morning after pill?

Research has shown that ella (ulipristal) is more effective as a morning after pill when compared to alternative levonorgestrel pills such as Plan B. This is based on the fact that Ella is more effective at preventing pregnancy for up to five days after unprotected sexual intercourse. For people who have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30, Ella is also more effective at preventing pregnancy.

Can you use IUDs for emergency contraception?

Yes. An IUD can be used as emergency contraception as long as a medical provider can insert the IUD within 5 days of your unprotected sexual intercourse.

How effective is the withdrawal method?

The withdrawal method is not very effective. In fact, it is one of the least effective methods of birth control studied. Researchers note that there are 22 pregnancies per 100 women within their first year of typical use of the withdrawal method. This is slightly worse than male condoms (18 pregnancies per 100 women).

What is the healthiest birth control?

There is no "right" answer when it comes to which birth control is best from a health standpoint. For some, staying healthy means being the most natural. In this case, a non-hormonal birth control may technically be the "healthiest." However, for others, staying healthy means avoiding many of the unwanted symptoms that accompany menstruation, such as mood fluctuations, cramps, and acne. Many of these symptoms can be reduced using hormones.

What is the best long-term birth control?

The best long-term birth control is the one that you can use reliably and has the most tolerable side effects. A copper IUD can remain in place for up to 10 years. However, other methods considered to be "long term," such as hormonal IUDs and implants, have identical reliability ratings, with less than 1 pregnancy per 100 women within their first year of typical use.

What are the best non hormonal birth control options?

There are several non hormonal birth control options available. These include a copper IUD (ParaGard), diaphragm, sponge, cervical cap, male and female condoms, abstinence, natural family planning, withdrawal method, spermicide, and permanent sterilization. These have widely varying levels of effectiveness, and many can be used in combination with each other.

What is the best birth control for first time users?

If you are a first time user of birth control, it's important to think carefully about your preferences. For some first time users, ease of use is important. This means that being able to receive a long-acting form of birth control, such as an implant, shot, or IUD, is best. However, for others, it may feel easier to simply take a pill every day. Make sure to discuss your personal preferences with your medical provider before starting on a birth control method.

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/birth-control/in-depth/best-birth-control-pill/art-20044807womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/birth-control-methods#3

https://odphp.health.gov/myhealthfinder/healthy-living/sexual-health/choose-right-birth-control

https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/birth-control-methods#3

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538737/

https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/effectiveness-of-birth-control-methods